During the hearing, PIA’s counsel presented an investigation report before the three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar.

The deputy Attorney General said the “national carrier has 498 pilots – out of whom 14 were found to be holding fake degrees while 73 out of 1,864 crew members were fake-degree holders. Disciplinary action has been taken against them”.

Unsatisfied with the update, the chief justice reproached PIA and CAA for lack of action against fake degree holders.

“When the apex court took notice of the matter last year, we were informed by the attorney general that 146 crew members’ degrees were being verified. At the time, I had inquired if it was obvious the degrees were fake,” he recalled.

The CAA informed the court that the pilots had been grounded and their licenses cancelled and PIA officials lamented that the accused staff tends to acquire stay orders when the company initiates action against them.

The Supreme Court also sought a record of PIA and CAA chiefs and the fake degree holders from lower courts. The bench, irked over lack of cooperation by universities in verifying degrees, also summoned chancellors.